Systems and methods for animal trapping

ABSTRACT

A trap for capturing a plurality of animals is provided. The trap can comprise an enclosure having an opening through which the at least one animal can pass to enter the enclosure. A gate, movable between an open position and a closed position, is positioned therein the at least one opening and can be selectively moved from the open position to the closed position when desired. Methods are also provided for capturing at least one animal by providing a trap with a gate, positioning the gate in an open position, monitoring the trap until at least one animal has entered the trap, and remotely triggering the gate to move from the open position to a closed position.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/071,423, filed Mar. 16, 2016 and entitled “Systems and Methods forAnimal Trapping,” which is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/807,593, filed Jul. 23, 2015, which is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/004,747, filed Jan. 11, 2011, nowU.S. Pat. No. 9,101,126, which claims the benefit of and priority toU.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/293,864, filed Jan. 11,2010, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Provided are traps for trapping a at least one animal. Morespecifically, traps are provided for remotely trapping nuisance wildlifesuch as rats, feral pigs, and the like.

BACKGROUND

Animal overpopulation and expensive crop damage have become a seriousproblem in many rural, suburban and urban areas. One example of thisproblem is the feral pig population explosion currently affectingfarmers and land owners in at least 39 states. Conventional gates ontrap enclosures are typically designed to be triggered and closed whenan animal enters into the trap enclosure, or is otherwise sensed insidethe trap enclosure. However, where high populations of nuisance animalsare present, this method often produces low volume capture numbers andfuture trap avoidance by non-captured animals.

Thus, there is a need in the art for trap enclosures and methods fortrapping animals that provide high-volume capture of nuisance animals.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the purposes of this invention, as embodied andbroadly described herein, in one aspect, a trap for capturing at leastone animal is provided, according to one aspect. In another aspect, thetrap can comprise an enclosure having at least one opening through whichthe at least one animal can pass. In another aspect, a gate, movablebetween an open position and a closed position, can be positionedtherein the at least one opening. In still another aspect, the trap cancomprise means for remotely selectively triggering the gate to move thegate from the open position to the closed position when a desiredcondition has been met.

According to other aspects, methods are provided for capturing at leastone animal. A trap can be provided comprising an enclosure having anopening through which at least one animal can pass, a gate positioned inthe opening that can be movable between an open position and a closedposition, a transmitter configured to transmit a signal, and a remotecontrol mechanism comprising a receiver configured to receive the signalfrom the transmitter. The remote control mechanism can be configured tomove the gate from the open position to the closed position in responseto the received signal. Exemplary methods can further comprisepositioning the gate in the open position, monitoring the trap until atleast one animal has entered the trap, and remotely triggering the gateto move from the open position to the closed position.

Additional advantages will be set forth in part in the description whichfollows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may belearned by practice of the aspects of the invention as described herein.The advantages can be realized and attained by means of the elements andcombinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is tobe understood that both the foregoing general description and thefollowing detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only andare not restrictive of the aspects of the invention, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate aspects of the invention and,together with the description, serve to explain the principles of theinvention.

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an exemplary trap, according to one aspect.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary trap, showing a gate of the trap in anopen position, according to one aspect.

FIG. 3 illustrates a housing and gate release mechanism in use on atrap, according to one aspect.

FIG. 4 is front internal view of a housing and gate release mechanism ofa trap of the present application, according to one aspect.

FIG. 5 illustrates a hand-held, push button-activated wirelesstransmitter, according to one aspect.

FIG. 6 illustrates a trip wire, pull pin-activated wireless transmitter,according to one aspect.

FIG. 7 illustrates a motion sensor-activated wireless transmitter,according to one aspect.

FIG. 8 illustrates the circuit board of a cell phone controller,according to one aspect.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of exemplary means for remotely triggeringa gate of a trap, according to one aspect.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of exemplary means for remotelytriggering a gate of a trap using a cell phone controller, according toanother aspect.

FIG. 11A is a schematic diagram of an internet protocol (IP) web cameranetwork and installation for offsite monitoring and control of a trap,according to one aspect.

FIG. 11B is a front view of an exemplary infrared camera of the IP webcamera network of FIG. 11A.

FIG. 11C is a rear view of the exemplary infrared camera of FIG. 11B.

FIG. 11D is a side view of the exemplary infrared camera of FIG. 11A.

FIG. 11E illustrates an exemplary user interface of the IP web cameranetwork of FIG. 11A.

FIG. 12A illustrates a front view of an exemplary gate and gate supportframe of a trap, according to another aspect.

FIG. 12B illustrates a side view of the exemplary gate support frame ofFIG. 12A.

FIG. 12C illustrates a locking mechanism for the gate and gate supportframe of FIG. 12A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the present invention may be understood more readily byreference to the following detailed description, examples, drawings, andclaims, and their previous and following description. However, beforethe present devices, systems, and/or methods are disclosed anddescribed, it is to be understood that aspects of this invention are notlimited to the specific devices, systems, and/or methods disclosedunless otherwise specified, as such can, of course, vary. It is also tobe understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescribing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting.

As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms“a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearlydictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to an “animal” caninclude two or more such animals unless the context indicates otherwise.

Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value,and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range isexpressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular valueand/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values areexpressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it willbe understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. Itwill be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges aresignificant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently ofthe other endpoint.

As used herein, the terms “optional” or “optionally” mean that thesubsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, andthat the description includes instances where said event or circumstanceoccurs and instances where it does not.

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred aspect(s)of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are usedthroughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

In one aspect, a trap 100 is provided for capturing a plurality ofanimals. Although used herein to describe the capture of feral pigs, itis contemplated that the traps described herein can be used to trap anyanimal (or a variety of animals). As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, forexample, the trap, in one aspect, can comprise an enclosure 102 havingat least one opening 104 through which the plurality of animals canpass. In one aspect, the enclosure can be substantially circular, thoughother shapes, such as substantially triangular, substantially square,substantially rectangular, and the like are contemplated. In one aspect,a circular or generally rounded trap (i.e., elliptical, rectangular withrounded corners, etc.) can provide a large trap area while avoidingcorners in which trapped animals will pile up. A rounded trap can alsoprovide for good flow of animals inside the trap. In still anotheraspect, the enclosure can be irregularly shaped.

In another aspect, the enclosure can be a relatively large enclosuresuch that the plurality of animals does not feel confined eitherentering or loitering in the relatively large area of the enclosure. Forexample, the enclosure can have an area of at least about 5 feet², 10feet², 20 feet², 30 feet², 40 feet², 50 feet², 100 feet², 200 feet², 500feet², 1000 feet², 1500 feet², 2000 feet², 3000 feet², 4000 feet², 5000feet², 10,000 feet², 20,000 feet², 30,000 feet², 40,000 feet², 1 acre, 2acres, 3 acres, 4 acres, 5 acres and greater than 5 acres. In anotheraspect, the at least one opening can be sufficiently sized such thatanimal(s) does not feel confined entering the at least one opening. Forexample, the at least one opening can have a width of at least about 1foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet 7 feet, 8 feet, 9 feet, 10feet, 11 feet, 12 feet, 13 feet, 14 feet, 15 feet and greater than 15feet. In one particular aspect, the at least one opening can beapproximately 12 feet wide.

In one aspect, the trap can comprise a door or gate 106 positioned inthe at least one opening of the enclosure, such as shown in FIGS. 1 and2. The terms “door” and “gate” are used interchangeably herein. The gatecan be movable between an open position (such as shown in FIGS. 2 and12A) and a closed position. In another aspect, the trap can alsocomprise means for remotely triggering the gate to move the gate fromthe open position to the closed position. According to various aspects,and as described further herein below, it is contemplated that theexemplary traps described herein can be left open for a period of time,and the gate can be remotely triggered at a time when it is determinedthat a desired number of animals will be trapped therein the enclosure.

In one aspect, a transmitter 120 and remote control mechanism 130 areprovided for remotely triggering the gate. The transmitter can beconfigured to transmit a signal, and the remote control mechanism can beconfigured to receive the signal from the transmitter. In one aspect, atleast a portion of the remote control mechanism 130 can be housed in ahousing 150, such as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In one aspect, the housingcan be a weatherproof housing. The remote control mechanism 130 cancomprise a receiver 132 configured to receive the signal from thetransmitter (such as wirelessly via the antenna 133), and can beconfigured to move the gate from the open position to the closedposition in response to the received signal. According to anotheraspect, as shown in FIG. 9 for example, the remote control mechanism cancomprise a relay 134 electrically coupled to the receiver 132, asolenoid 136, and a battery 138 or other power source. In anotheraspect, a solar charger 140 can be provided to charge the battery 138 orother power source. According to one particular aspect, for example, theremote control mechanism can comprise a relay, such as a 30 amp relayand the like, a battery source, such as a 12 volt, 1.4 amp directcurrent battery source and the like, and a push/pull solenoid or thelike.

According to another aspect, a remote control mechanism 230 can beprovided for remotely triggering the gate with the use of a cellulartelephone (“cell phone”) as a transmitter, and a cell phone controller232 acting as a receiver, such as shown in FIG. 10. The cell phonecontroller 232 can comprise a wireless remote control on/off switch, andcan be configured to move the gate from the open position to the closedposition in response to a phone call. As shown in FIG. 10, for example,the cell phone controller can comprise a relay electrically coupled to asolenoid 136 and a battery 138. As discussed above, a solar charger 140can be provided to charge the battery 138 (or other power source).According to one particular aspect, for example, the cell phonecontroller 232 can comprise an antenna 233 and a SIM card holder 235 andthe like. An exemplary cell phone controller circuit board is shown inFIG. 8.

In another aspect, such as shown in FIG. 3, the remote control mechanism130 can also comprise a gate release mechanism 152 operatively coupledto the solenoid. In this aspect, the gate release mechanism can beconfigured to maintain the gate 106 of the enclosure in a desiredposition, such as the open position so that the at least one animal canenter the enclosure. In another aspect, the gate release mechanism canbe a latch, an arm, a hook, a catch, and the like. As shown in FIGS. 3and 4, the solenoid 136 can extend out of the housing to control thegate release mechanism 152. As can be appreciated, the gate 106 can besupported by a support frame 180, as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B. Thesupport frame can be constructed from a variety of materials, includingbut not limited to steel. The gate can be supported by the support frameby one or more hinges 182, which can allow the gate to pivot from theopen position to the closed position. As can be appreciated, accordingto another aspect, the gate can be slidable along or within the framefrom the open position to the closed position.

According to a further aspect, such as shown in FIGS. 12A-12C, a lockingmechanism can be provided on the gate and the gate support frame tomaintain or secure the gate in the closed position in order to preventanimals from escaping the trap. As shown in FIGS. 12A-12C, the lockingmechanism can comprise a pin or other protrusion 184 a on the gate,which cooperates with a latch 184 b that is affixed to the gate supportframe. As can be appreciated, when the gate is moved to the closedposition, the pin or other protrusion 184 a can be securely received bythe latch 184 b (as shown in FIG. 12C). As can be appreciated, the pincan be manually released from the latch when desired by a user, such asto release one or more of the animals, or to reopen the gate for furthercapture of animals. Other conventional locking means can, of course, beused to secure the gate in the closed position.

In operation, when the receiver 132 receives a signal from thetransmitter 120, the receiver activates an output signal. In one aspect,the output signal can be activated as long as the transmitter istransmitting a signal to the receiver. In one aspect, the output signalfrom the receiver can be received by the relay 134, causing the relay toclose, thereby sending a signal to the solenoid 136. The solenoid cantrigger the gate release mechanism 152 to move the gate from the openposition to the closed position. In one non-limiting example, inoperation, when the receiver receives a signal from the transmitter, thereceiver supplies a 500 mA negative ground to the 30 amp relay. Therelay closes sending a 12 volt direct current output to the push/pullsolenoid, which triggers the gate release mechanism to move the gatefrom the open position to the closed position.

According to another aspect, a cell phone controller 232 can receive asignal from a transmitter. The cell phone controller can be activated bya signal from its programmed cell phone number. In one aspect, the cellphone controller will reject the call without answering, while closingthe normally open contacts, thereby sending a signal to the solenoid136. The solenoid 136 triggers the gate release mechanism to move thegate from the open position to the closed position.

According to various aspects, the transmitter 120 can be configured forwireless communication with the receiver. Thus, in one aspect, thetransmitter can be any device capable of transmitting a wireless signalto—or otherwise being in wireless communication with—the receiver. Thetransmitter can be a hand-held, push button-activated wirelesstransmitter such as a key fob 122 (as exemplarily shown in FIG. 5), apull pin-activated wireless transmitter 123 (as exemplarily shown inFIG. 6), a motion sensor-activated wireless transmitter 124 (asexemplarily shown in FIG. 7), a remote control, a cellular telephone, orother such device. As can be appreciated, if a key fob 122 is used as atransmitter, a user can press a button on the key fob when the userdesires to close the gate of the trap. In another aspect, a trip wirecan be installed within the trap; when an animal touches the trip wire,it will cause the pull pin in the pull pin-activated wirelesstransmitter 123 to be pulled, causing a wireless signal to betransmitted to the receiver to close the gate (as discussed above). Inone aspect, such a trip wire can be positioned in the trap at a distancefrom the gate, such that it will not be tripped until one or moreanimals are well within the trap when the gate is moved from the open tothe closed position. According to other aspects, the transmitter can beconfigured for wired communication with the receiver.

The trap can also comprise means for detecting the presence of at leastone animal therein the enclosure. For example, and not meant to belimiting, a camera can be provided in the enclosure, or near theenclosure, and can be configured to record or sense the presence of theat least one animal therein the enclosure. In one aspect, the camera canbe a closed-circuit device or an internet protocol (IP) web cameraintended to continuously broadcast a transmission to a closed circuittelevision or other monitoring device, such as, for example, an IP webcamera network. In another aspect, the camera can also be an infraredcamera, configured to record the thermal image of the at least oneanimal therein the enclosure. In still another aspect, the camera can bea night vision camera configured to record the image of the at least oneanimal therein the enclosure. Such exemplary means for detecting thepresence of the at least one animal can be configured to record still ormoving images to any suitable computer-readable storage medium includinghard disks, CD-ROMs, optical storage devices, or magnetic storagedevices or to other recording devices (such as video tape recorder). Inanother aspect, the means for detecting the presence of the at least oneanimal can be configured to transmit the recorded images to a remotedisplay device, such as a monitor.

In one aspect, such as shown in FIGS. 11A-11E, a camera 190 can beprovided as part of an IP web camera network. The infrared camera canhave infrared or LED lights 191, a lens 192, and an antenna 193configured for wireless transmission. The camera can also have a powersource 195, such as a direct current power source, and can have an RJ45port 194, as shown in FIG. 11D. The camera can transmit its images to acomputer via a conventional wireless internet system, which can includea wireless router 161 and a modem 162, which transmit information viathe internet to a computer 165 that has a display device, such as amonitor 166. As can be appreciated, the modem and computer can be incommunication with the internet 164 via network cables 163 or otherconventional means. Of course, other means of transmitting the cameraimage(s) to a computer or other display device are contemplated, and arenot limited to the wireless network shown in FIG. 11A. According toanother aspect, the camera can transmit image(s) to a wireless handhelddevice, such as a cellular telephone, personal digital assistant (PDA),or other such device. Any such device having means of displaying theimages to a user can include a user interface 168 (shown in FIG. 11E),which can allow the user to adjust the image (e.g., brightness,contrast), and can also allow the user to manipulate the camerawirelessly (e.g., by panning and/or zooming the camera to capturedifferent images).

In another aspect, the means for detecting the presence of the at leastone animal can be configured or otherwise programmed to automaticallytrigger the gate when a predetermined condition has been met. In variousaspects, the predetermined condition can be a certain date and/or time,a predetermined level of food remaining in a food dispensing mechanism(described further below), a predetermined number of animals detected inthe enclosure by the camera or a local person, and the like.

According to yet other exemplary aspects, as shown for example in FIG.2, the trap can comprise a food dispensing mechanism 170, such as butnot limited to a substantially automatic food dispensing mechanism. Thefood dispensing mechanism can be positioned therein the enclosure 102and can be configured to provide food to at least one animal in theenclosure. In one aspect, the food dispensing mechanism 170 can bepositioned substantially centrally within the enclosure. In otheraspects, however, the food dispensing mechanism can be positioned at anylocation within the enclosure. In one aspect, the food dispensingmechanism can provide food at a predetermined time or at predeterminedintervals (such as every twelve hours, daily, nightly, etc.). The fooddispensing mechanism can be used, for example, to lure animals into theenclosure. The enclosure can be left open for selected periods of time(such as hours, days, weeks, etc.) prior to the capture of animals. Theuse of an automatic feeder can allow the animals to come and go into theenclosure and come to trust the enclosure as a food source area.Additionally, the use of an automatic or substantially automatic fooddispensing mechanism 170 allows the scent of humans around the trap tobe minimized or eliminated, thereby minimizing the chances that animalswill avoid entering the trap.

Repeated use of the enclosure by the animals over several days or weekscan allow the animals to recruit other animals to the area for highervolume trapping results. For example, feral pigs are known to travel inpacks and groups. As more pigs are drawn to the enclosure as a foodsource, they will travel outside of the enclosure to recruit more pigsto enter the enclosure. The enclosure can be monitored (such as locally,or remotely via the means for detecting the presence of an animaltherein the enclosure), until such time as it is desired to close thegate to the enclosure, thereby trapping animals inside of the enclosure.

According to one aspect, it is contemplated that the animals trappedinside of the enclosure can be removed from the enclosure and disposedof according to conventional means. In one aspect, for example when thetrap is used to trap feral pigs, one or more pigs (hereinafter, a “Judaspig”) can be kept alive and can be used to track the location of othergroups of feral pigs. For example, such a Judas pig can be tagged with aradio telemetry device and can be released. The Judas pig will naturallymigrate to other groups of feral pigs. When the location of other groupsof feral pigs is determined, a new trap, such as described above, can beset up to capture the new group of pigs. In one aspect, it iscontemplated to use a female adult or sub-adult feral pig as the Judaspig.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made in the present inventionwithout departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. Otherembodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in theart from consideration of the specification and practice of theinvention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification andexamples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spiritof the invention being indicated by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A trapping system for capturing at least one wildanimal, comprising: an enclosure having at least one portion that ismovable between an open position that permits passage of at least onewild animal into the enclosure and a closed position that restrictspassage of at least one wild animal out of the enclosure; a cameraassembly configured to transmit a wireless detection signal; a displaydevice in communication with the camera assembly and configured to:receive the wireless detection signal from the camera assembly, andtransmit a wireless control signal upon receipt of the wirelessdetection signal from the camera assembly; a control mechanism incommunication with the display device and configured to receive thewireless control signal from the display device, wherein the wirelesscontrol signal corresponds to an instruction to the control mechanism togenerate a release signal; a release mechanism in communication with thecontrol mechanism and configured to effect movement of the at least oneportion of the enclosure from the open position to the closed positionin response to receipt of the release signal from the control mechanism,wherein, upon detection of a presence of the at least one wild animalwithin the enclosure by the camera assembly, the camera assemblytransmits the wireless detection signal to the display device.
 2. Thetrapping system of claim 1, further comprising: a relay in operativecommunication with the control mechanism; a solenoid positioned inoperative communication with the relay and operatively coupled to therelease mechanism; and a battery in operative communication with therelay and the control mechanism, wherein in response to receipt of thewireless control signal from the display device, the control mechanismis configured to send a release signal to the relay, the relay isconfigured to trigger the battery to send a direct current output to thesolenoid, and the solenoid is configured to trigger the releasemechanism to move the at least one portion of the enclosure to theclosed position.
 3. The trapping system of claim 1, wherein the displaydevice comprises at least one of a computer, a wireless handheld device,a remote control, a user interface, or a telephone.
 4. The trappingsystem of claim 1, wherein the camera assembly is configured to transmitan image of the at least one wild animal within the enclosure to thedisplay device.
 5. The trapping system of claim 4, wherein the displaydevice is a wireless handheld device.
 6. The trapping system of claim 1,wherein the camera assembly comprises a motion sensor that is configuredto sense the presence of the at least one wild animal within theenclosure.
 7. The trapping system of claim 1, wherein the display devicecomprises a plurality of display devices and the camera assembly isconfigured to transmit the wireless detection signal to the plurality ofdisplay devices
 8. The trapping system of claim 1, wherein the displaydevice comprises a telephone, wherein the control mechanism comprises atelephone controller, and wherein the telephone is configured totransmit the wireless control signal to the telephone controller,wherein the telephone controller is configured to receive the signalfrom the telephone and wherein the release mechanism is configured toeffect movement of the at least one portion of the enclosure from theopen position to the closed position in response to the received signalfrom the telephone.
 9. The trapping system of claim 5, wherein thewireless handheld device is a cellular telephone.
 10. The trappingsystem of claim 9, wherein the wireless detection signal and thewireless control signal are transmitted via a cellular network.
 11. Thetrapping system of claim 1, wherein the camera assembly comprises aninternet protocol web camera.
 12. The trapping system of claim 11,wherein the internet protocol web camera transmits the wirelessdetection signal to the display device via a wireless internet network.13. The trapping system of claim 12, wherein the display devicecomprises a computer.
 14. The trapping system of claim 1, wherein thedisplay device transmits the wireless control signal to the controlmechanism in response to manual activation of the display device by anoperator of the display device.
 15. The trapping system of claim 14,wherein in the closed position, the enclosure cooperates with a groundsurface to define an enclosure area in which the at least one wildanimal is trapped, and wherein the enclosure comprises an enclosedsurface area of at least 100 square feet.
 16. A trapping system forcapturing at least one wild animal, comprising: an enclosure having atleast one portion that is movable between an open position that permitspassage of at least one wild animal into the enclosure and a closedposition that restricts passage of the at least one wild animal out ofthe enclosure; a camera assembly configured to transmit a wirelessdetection signal upon detection of a presence of the at least one animalwithin the enclosure; a display device in communication with the cameraassembly and configured to: receive the wireless detection signal fromthe camera assembly, and transmit a wireless control signal upon receiptof the wireless detection signal from the camera assembly; a controlmechanism in communication with the display device and configured toreceive the wireless control signal from the display device, wherein thewireless control signal corresponds to an instruction to the controlmechanism to generate a release signal; a release mechanism incommunication with the control mechanism and configured to effectmovement of the at least one portion of the enclosure from the openposition to the closed position in response to receipt of the releasesignal from the control mechanism; a relay in operative communicationwith the control mechanism; a solenoid positioned in operativecommunication with the relay and operatively coupled to the releasemechanism; and a battery in operative communication with the relay andthe control mechanism, wherein in response to receipt of the wirelesscontrol signal from the display device, the control mechanism isconfigured to send the release signal to the relay, the relay isconfigured to trigger the battery to send a direct current output to thesolenoid, and the solenoid is configured to trigger the releasemechanism to move the at least one portion of the enclosure to theclosed position.
 17. A trapping system for capturing a plurality offeral pigs, comprising: an enclosure having at least one portion that ismovable between an open position that permits passage of a plurality offeral pigs into the enclosure and a closed position that restrictspassage of the plurality of feral pigs out of the enclosure, wherein inthe closed position, the enclosure cooperates with a ground surface todefine an enclosure area in which the plurality of feral pigs aretrapped; a camera assembly configured to transmit a wireless detectionsignal; a display device in communication with the camera assembly andconfigured to: receive the wireless detection signal from the cameraassembly, and transmit a wireless control signal upon receipt of thewireless detection signal from the camera assembly; a control mechanismin communication with the display device and configured to receive thewireless control signal from the display device, wherein the wirelesscontrol signal corresponds to an instruction to the control mechanism togenerate a release signal; a release mechanism in communication with thecontrol mechanism and configured to effect movement of the at least oneportion of the enclosure from the open position to the closed positionupon receipt of the release signal from the control mechanism, wherein,upon detection of a presence of the plurality of feral pigs within theenclosure by the camera assembly, the camera assembly transmits thewireless detection signal to the display device.
 18. The trapping systemof claim 17, wherein the enclosure comprises an enclosed surface area ofat least 100 square feet, wherein in the open position, the enclosurepermits passage of the plurality of feral pigs into the enclosurethrough an open space having a width of at least three feet, wherein inthe open position, the at least one portion of the enclosure is spacedvertically from a ground surface, wherein in the closed position, theenclosure cooperates with the ground surface to define an enclosure areain which the plurality of feral pigs are trapped, and wherein the groundsurface extends continuously from within the enclosure area to areassurrounding the enclosure.
 19. The trapping system of claim 17, whereinthe camera assembly transmits an image of the plurality of detectedferal pigs within the enclosure to the display device.
 20. The trappingsystem of claim 17, wherein the camera assembly comprises an internetprotocol web camera, and wherein the internet protocol web cameratransmits the wireless detection signal to the display device via awireless network.